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J — USA
Born July 2014 Prenatal-onset Mother's GBS Status: Tested positive early in pregnancy Treatment: Round of antibiotics early in pregnancy after positive test result Gestational Age: 33 weeks Age Harmed: Placenta infected with GBS at 33 weeks gestation |
Early in my pregnancy my doctor tested for Strep B and I tested positive. I was given a round of antibiotics and told that when I went into labor, they would give me antibiotics by IV so that I would not put the baby at risk. Everything proceeded fine. Our little girl grew at the normal rates and every doctor appointment seemed fine. We were due August 23, 2014.
On July 4th, I had a house full of friends who were excited to feel this little girl kick. I was 34 years old and pregnant with my first. Most of my friends had several kids and couldn't wait for my husband and I to start our family. Only the kicking slowed down and she seemed very lethargic. I assumed that the chaos and noise of so many at the house, and later the fireworks were making baby girl withdraw a bit. It seemed to fit well with my own introvert personality. I was a bit concerned, but tried not to worry about it too much. I hadn't seen many of my friends since breaking the baby news.
The next day, I woke up and the house was quiet again. I knew immediately that something was wrong. I did not feel baby girl kick to wake me up. In fact, she seemed to be kicking even less and more slowly. I drank cold water, and I stayed on the couch, but after an hour of feeling almost nothing, I called the doctors.
The hospital said to go ahead and come in to check and see what was wrong. My husband and I drove straight to labor and delivery. I had also begun feeling pain in my back but also just assumed that I would continue to be more uncomfortable towards the end of my pregnancy, so I tried not to complain too much. We didn't even have a bag packed yet. We didn't take anything with us. I figured they would probably send us home soon and that I was overreacting.
When I got to the hospital, I was told my doctor was on vacation and that another doctor would assist me as needed during my visit. Once I was seen and evaluated, I learned that the pain in my back was contractions and was given medication to stop preterm labor. The medication worked, but as soon as they stopped giving it to me, the contractions started again. As the contractions continued baby girl was hardly responding to them and the doctor indicated that it was not a good thing. I was put on medication to stop the contractions again and there was talk that I would be on bed rest, maybe even in the hospital until the baby was born.
As the night went on, my contractions happened more frequently instead of less. By morning a new doctor saw me and said that she did not know what was wrong, but that our girl was better out than she was in, because if they took her, they could help her in the NICU and without knowing what was wrong, they needed to go ahead and deliver.
I had about 10 minutes notice. I was taken to the c-section room, given an epidural and laid down for surgery. I could feel the tugging and was told not to be surprised if I didn't hear the baby right away. However, as soon as I felt her leave my body, I heard her cry. It was the best sound in the world. Our daughter met my husband first, I briefly saw her and then she was taken to the NICU. I don't even remember how much longer it was, but when I could finally see her, she was hooked up to so many things and so little. I was scared something was wrong.
The doctor who delivered my baby came back with the news that I was strep B positive, that the infection had crossed into the placenta. I was also told that so far she showed no signs of illness but that they would watch her for awhile until they were sure she was ready to go home. They explained that it would probably be at least two weeks, maybe longer and explained all of the things that can go wrong when a baby has GBS. They said calling and coming in as soon as I knew something was wrong most likely saved our little girl, that had I waited any longer I may have miscarried. J is now almost 3 and is perfectly healthy. Initially she spent 17 days in the hospital, but has been healthy and developing normally.
— Dara Booth, United States
Dara didn't even know I needed to share info until a friend recently tested positive early in pregnancy. She was helping her find info and found our webpage.
On July 4th, I had a house full of friends who were excited to feel this little girl kick. I was 34 years old and pregnant with my first. Most of my friends had several kids and couldn't wait for my husband and I to start our family. Only the kicking slowed down and she seemed very lethargic. I assumed that the chaos and noise of so many at the house, and later the fireworks were making baby girl withdraw a bit. It seemed to fit well with my own introvert personality. I was a bit concerned, but tried not to worry about it too much. I hadn't seen many of my friends since breaking the baby news.
The next day, I woke up and the house was quiet again. I knew immediately that something was wrong. I did not feel baby girl kick to wake me up. In fact, she seemed to be kicking even less and more slowly. I drank cold water, and I stayed on the couch, but after an hour of feeling almost nothing, I called the doctors.
The hospital said to go ahead and come in to check and see what was wrong. My husband and I drove straight to labor and delivery. I had also begun feeling pain in my back but also just assumed that I would continue to be more uncomfortable towards the end of my pregnancy, so I tried not to complain too much. We didn't even have a bag packed yet. We didn't take anything with us. I figured they would probably send us home soon and that I was overreacting.
When I got to the hospital, I was told my doctor was on vacation and that another doctor would assist me as needed during my visit. Once I was seen and evaluated, I learned that the pain in my back was contractions and was given medication to stop preterm labor. The medication worked, but as soon as they stopped giving it to me, the contractions started again. As the contractions continued baby girl was hardly responding to them and the doctor indicated that it was not a good thing. I was put on medication to stop the contractions again and there was talk that I would be on bed rest, maybe even in the hospital until the baby was born.
As the night went on, my contractions happened more frequently instead of less. By morning a new doctor saw me and said that she did not know what was wrong, but that our girl was better out than she was in, because if they took her, they could help her in the NICU and without knowing what was wrong, they needed to go ahead and deliver.
I had about 10 minutes notice. I was taken to the c-section room, given an epidural and laid down for surgery. I could feel the tugging and was told not to be surprised if I didn't hear the baby right away. However, as soon as I felt her leave my body, I heard her cry. It was the best sound in the world. Our daughter met my husband first, I briefly saw her and then she was taken to the NICU. I don't even remember how much longer it was, but when I could finally see her, she was hooked up to so many things and so little. I was scared something was wrong.
The doctor who delivered my baby came back with the news that I was strep B positive, that the infection had crossed into the placenta. I was also told that so far she showed no signs of illness but that they would watch her for awhile until they were sure she was ready to go home. They explained that it would probably be at least two weeks, maybe longer and explained all of the things that can go wrong when a baby has GBS. They said calling and coming in as soon as I knew something was wrong most likely saved our little girl, that had I waited any longer I may have miscarried. J is now almost 3 and is perfectly healthy. Initially she spent 17 days in the hospital, but has been healthy and developing normally.
— Dara Booth, United States
Dara didn't even know I needed to share info until a friend recently tested positive early in pregnancy. She was helping her find info and found our webpage.
To learn more about Perinatal & GBS Misconceptions, click HERE.
To learn more about the Signs & Symptoms of Preterm Labor, click HERE.
To learn more about the Signs & Symptoms of GBS Infection, click HERE.
To learn more about Why Membranes Should NOT Be Stripped, click HERE.
To learn more about How to Help Protect Your Baby from Group B Strep (GBS), click HERE.
To learn more about the Signs & Symptoms of Preterm Labor, click HERE.
To learn more about the Signs & Symptoms of GBS Infection, click HERE.
To learn more about Why Membranes Should NOT Be Stripped, click HERE.
To learn more about How to Help Protect Your Baby from Group B Strep (GBS), click HERE.